It’s a question we get asked a lot.
“Can you recycle roller banners?”
“What about pop-up stands?”
And we completely understand why — on the surface, they feel like the perfect materials for upcycling. They’re large, printed, durable, and often only used a handful of times.
So it would make sense that they could be turned into bags, accessories, or other useful items.
Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple.
The challenge with recycling roller banner materials
Most of the materials we work with at Calluna Upcycling are flexible and forgiving.
Traditional PVC banners and some fabrics can be cut, stitched and reshaped into new products without too much resistance.
Roller banners and pop-up graphics are different.
They’re designed to:
- stay rigid and smooth when displayed
- resist curling or creasing
- hold their shape over time
To achieve this, they’re made from thicker, more structured materials — often with multiple layers or coatings.
And while that’s great for standing upright at an event, it makes them much harder to work with in an upcycling setting.
Why they don’t lend themselves to sewing
In simple terms, the material doesn’t like being manipulated.
It can be:
- too thick for standard industrial sewing processes
- difficult to fold cleanly
- prone to cracking or warping when stitched
- resistant to the kind of shaping needed for bags or accessories
So while we always test new materials where we can, roller banners and pop-ups haven’t (yet) proven suitable for the kind of products we make.
We’re still exploring possibilities
That said — it’s not a closed door.
We’re always looking at new ways to extend the life of materials, and roller banners are definitely on the “keep researching” list. We would love to recycle roller banners one day.
As demand grows, so does the incentive to find a viable solution.
But for now, we’d rather be honest than promise something that doesn’t meet the quality and durability standards we aim for.
What can you do instead?
Just because we can’t upcycle them (yet), doesn’t mean they have to go to landfill.
There are still a few good options:
♻️ Separate and recycle the metalwork
The bases and mechanisms from roller banners can often be dismantled and recycled through local recycling centres.
🔧 Repurpose components
Some organisations specialise in reusing event materials and may be able to give parts a second life.
We often recommend connecting with groups like Event Cycle, who work to redistribute and repurpose event surplus wherever possible.
🎨 Donate graphics to schools or community groups
The printed materials themselves can sometimes be used for:
- art projects
- craft activities
- display backdrops
It’s always worth checking locally before disposing of them.
Not all materials are equal — and that’s okay
One of the biggest misconceptions about sustainability is that everything can be recycled or upcycled in the same way.
In reality, materials behave very differently.
Some are ideal for transformation.
Some require specialist processing.
And some… are still waiting for a better solution.
Being honest about those limitations is just as important as celebrating the wins.
A more thoughtful approach
At Calluna Upcycling, our focus is on giving materials a genuine second life — not forcing them into something they’re not suited for.
And while we can’t currently upcycle roller banners and pop-ups, we’ll keep asking the question:
“Is there a better way to use this?”
Because often, that’s where the next idea begins.